Page 28 of The Grand Duel

But then the soft pads of fingertips flutter over my jaw, and I feel his body move in close as he twists my face away. “In that case, I have only one expectation for you to manage tonight.”

“O-okay.” I let out a heavy rush of air from my lungs, regardless of the fact he’ll catch it. “What is it?”

He inches closer, his mouth at my ear now. “When you come for me, toes curled, back arched, legs shaking…” He dusts his nose across my temple, and I shudder. “Sweat beading.” I hear him swallow. “I want you to forget who you are and why you’re here. Just that you are. With me.”

Holy shit.

“Do you think you can you manage that for me?”

I force a nod, although he lost me at the mention of coming for him. He’s still so close I can feel the heat emanating off his body. I want to touch him. I want him and what he’s promised.

I shake my head, contradicting myself. “I don’t think I should take the lead,” I whisper, leaning into his body, the smell of him intoxicating.

He groans, his lips tickling my ear. “Then tell me what you can do.”

My core pulsates as my nerves get consumed by aching hunger. “You’re paying, surely it’s up to you?”

I think he shakes his head. “I know my limits.” His thumb dusts my jaw. “Do we need to find yours?”

I can hardly breathe. I need him to touch me. “I’m not a virgin or anything,” I say, breathless and without thought. “I have lots of experience.”

There’s a pause, and I frown.Shit. I beg the ground to swallow me up whole.

But then he chuckles deep into my neck, lips dragging. “Then maybe you can teach me.”

I blow out a breath, shaking my head. “You can do whatever you want to me.”

He stills, and then I hear him swallow. A moment later and his mouth is at my ear again, soft plump lips moving over the shell. “How many more rules are you planning to have me break tonight?”

“Rules?” I read the contract over. I remember everything for the most part.

“My rules,” he corrects. “I’m going to touch you.”

The back of his finger dusts over the swell of my breast, and my lips part.

“You can do whatever you want to me, too, Jovie,” he rasps, and I can’t help but think he’s teasing me. I frown at the name as he tests the words, wishing I picked something else. “In fact—”His fingers catch in mine, and he lifts my hand to place it on a wall of hard muscle. His chest. “Why don’t you put us on a little more even of ground?”

He’s wearing a suit, I can feel the buttons, a waistcoat. Who wears a full suit to a club like this?

Wait…a policeman in a waistcoat?

I smooth my hand up until I reach his collar and then down his arm, sizing him up.

He lets out a weighted breath, the need in it sweeping over my face to torment the strands at my hairline.

I shiver.

He’s got me right where he wants me. I’m a puddle for him, and I’m not even trying to hide it.

With my hand on his arm, the warmth radiating off him, I pause and wait. “Anything?” I mutter.

Nothing. He says nothing for the longest time.

“You said I could do anything I wanted to you, too,” I explain.

“I did.” He’s so close, I think he might kiss me.

“You mean anything?” I whisper.